An effective venue takeover should be experienced as a comprehensive curatorial undertaking. In 2024, consumers are quick (and right) to turn their nose up at “branded activations” and other events that reek of PR sleaze.

For the bold, an inspired and consolidated approach to cultural programming can have an impact that goes beyond the till, helping position your venue as a purveyor of the arts in a difficult artistic climate. Potato Head has been doing this on the global stage since 2010.

Potato Head calls its Seminyak location a desa, the Indonesian word for village, which is reflected in the diversity of its programming: from wellness, to live music, to spiritual experiences, to all-night dance parties.

The carbon-neutral campus comprises a five-star hotel, beach club, recording studio, gallery, day spa, listening lounge, co-working centre, streaming station and six restaurants. Potato Head’s “club” overlooks the ocean and draws talent to Bali from around the globe, with venue takeovers by experimental artists, multimedia curators and acclaimed producers.

Potato Head, Masters of:

01. Market Creation

Akili was ahead of the curve in spying the lack of creative and cultural F&B venues in Bali. So, he spearheaded this mixed-use arts and lifestyle precinct that put the island on the map for certain types of discerning travellers.

02. Talent Curation

Any successful project of this scale needs the right mix of collaborators, employed and deployed at the right time. Potato Head’s black book helps them connect the dots, allowing for programming that showcases international talent across broad interest sectors.

03. The High Road

There remains a perception of Bali as being destroyed by waves of Bintang-fuelled Australian tourists. That may be for good reason, but Potato Head has been proving that Indonesia can hold its own as a destination for contemporary culture.

Check out Potato Head’s Instagram, and make sure to stop in for the day (or night) next time you’re in Bali.

This Trend Alert is excerpted from the A+ Future Trends Report 2024–25, a holistic deep-dive into what we know will impact hospitality operators in coming years. Learn how you can gain access to the full report here.